Hanover. Poverty researcher Christoph Butterwegge calls for a rescue package for the “poorest”. Of the federal government’s multi-billion dollar aid packages for companies, “little goes down in the company’s basement,” Butterwegge told the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland” (Tuesday). The corona crisis had a fatal impact not only on the immunodeficient, but also on the low-income. According to the Cologne scientist, the standard requirement rates for Hartz IV recipients should be increased by at least 100 euros because of the corona crisis.

“If the Hartz IV recipients do not experience an increase in their regular needs now, even if only for a transitional period, the welfare state is sinning against the lowest-income,” said Butterwegge. “Specifically, I expect Hartz IV recipients and recipients of basic security in old age and those with reduced earning capacity to have a nutritional supplement of EUR 100 per month.” This affects families in particular, whose children have so far had free lunch from educational and public daycare facilities Participation package received and would now have to be catered for at home.

The researcher calls for the expansion of social infrastructure and the improvement of care and medical treatment for homeless people. “Municipal social services are more systemically relevant than ever, but they will be under enormous pressure for the foreseeable future.” In a crisis situation, the welfare state had to take care of the most disadvantaged. That was his obligation laid down in the Basic Law. epd / nd